Method and apparatus for drawing metal



April 14, 1942. A. slMoNs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING METAL Filed April 22. 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 14, 1942.

A. slMoNs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING METAL Filed April 22, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M, QMS

April v14, 1942. A. slMQNs 2,279,347

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING METAL Filed April 22, 1939 4: Sheets-Sheet 3 e BY ATTORNE April- 14, 1942. A. slMoNs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING METAL Filed April 22, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE afa'zazm METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon DRAWING METAL Aaron Simons, Bronx, N. Y.

Application April 22, 1939, Serial No. 269,373

4:zo claims.

This invention relates to a method and al)` paratus for drawing cold metal strip or sheet to reduce the thickness thereof while substantially maintaining or slightly reducing the width thereof, as distinguished from the methods and machines for cold rolling of metal strip and sheet. It constitutes a continuation in part of the structure disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 132,497, led March 23, 1937, and involves certain improvements over the apparatus illustrated in my prior Patent #2,092,188issued September 7, 1937.

The object of the ,invention is to provide aV and in parallel planes and in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, to reduce the frictional surface resistance between said die elementsand the workpiece so as to permit the workpiece-to.

be drawn between said die elements; and further.'

:1a part of the construction and illustrating a to provide for therotation of the die elements' on their own axes at a surface -speed slower than" the speed of travel of the drawn product so as further to provide means for adjusting one of y said die members toward and from the other in controlling the desired operating spacing between the die elements so as to predetermine the thickness of the drawn product, and with thesevand other objects in view, the inventionconsists of a machine or apparatus of the character described and of a method of drawing metal strip and sheet, as more fully hereinafter described and i claimed'.

The invention is fully disclosed inthe following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the Views, and in which: i

Fig. 1 is a side and sectional view of the machine made according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is a plan view ofthe machine as seen in Fig. 1 with part of the construction broken away.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing only a part of the construction and on an enlarged scale. f

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the gear construction shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

` Fig. 6 is a detail View of the gear construction plhowln in Fig. 1 taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective View showing the die elements and supports -therefore indicating the passage of a workpiece between said elements.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a part .of the construction-and on an enlarged scale.

- Fig. 9 is a section on the broken line 9 9 of Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing only modification; and

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I I-H of Fig. l0. Wire, rods and other thick pieces of metal 'which have relatively small peripheral dimensions in comparison to their cross-sectional areas, may be drawn through fixed dies. Thin flat shapes, such as strip and sheet have large peripl. .-ral dimensions in comparison to their crosssectional areas and therefore present too large a frictional surface resistance for drawing -through a fixed die, and are therefore cutomarily reduced in thickness by rolling.

My process and apparatus permits the, drawing of thin strip and sheet. Although I use rotating cylindrical die members, these members perform the same passive function as is performed by a wire drawing die, and serve `as a portal through which the strip is drawn and do f5) not operate in the manner of the rolls of a roll- 5 In cold rolling the rolls must bite q'r grip the 1 the length of strip in contact with the die must be comparatively small, so that the strip shall not be gripped by the die, but shall be free to be drawn or pulled between the die members.

In wire drawing, it has been learned, that the results depend to a greatmeasure on the en,

tran angle of the die, or the angle formed by the opposite sides of the inner contour of theA die in a cross-sectional view' In comparing a pair of cylinders to a die, the entrance angle must be considered the angle formed by the tangents drawn to the surfaces of the cylinders at the median points of contact between thedie i,

cylinders and the strip. In wire drawing dies the entrance angle ranges approximately from about eight degrees to about eighteen degrees. In my apparatus the entrance angle between the cylindrical die members is of the same order as the entrance angle ofwire drawing dies. In cold rolling the entrance angle must be less than five degrees, otherwise the rolls will not grip and push the strip.

To secure the small entrance angle and-the large gripping area necessary for cold rolling, the diameters of the rolls must be relatively large. To secure the large entrance angle and small contact necessary for drawing, `the diam'- eters of the cylindrical die members must be relatively small.

In cold rolling, in view ofthe fact that the rolls must grip and push the strip, the surface speed of the rolls is approximately equal to the speed of travel of the outcoming strip, and the maximum amount of surface friction is present at the points at which the incoming strip meets the rolls. In my apparatus, it is not desirable to have the die members push the strip, bu't on the contrary. the strip is pulled between the die meme bers. hence the surface speed of my die members is materially less than the speed of travel of the p full length, because the frictional surface iesist- 60 ance'between the rolls and the bearings, under the operating pressure, wouldl make it difficult, if not impossible, to rotate the rolls. Hence the rolls are equippedwith reduced diameter necks at each end and are supported by bearings at these necks only. Inmy apparatus the cylindrical die members are longitudinally supported by friction bearings along substantially their full length, but the sliding motion of the dies in these bearings, sufiicientlyl reduces the frictional surface resistance between the die members and the bearings to enable the die members to rotate freely.

In spite of their large diameter. the rolls in heavy pressure under which they operate. This results in a strip of convex cross-section, having a crown or thicker portion in the center and thinner edges. In my apparatus the die mem- 5 bers are longitudinally supported in bearings.

and their ends are not mounted but are substantially free, hence they do not bend, and the drawn strip is of uniform thickness. The sliding motion of the dies transversely of the strip assists in effecting this uniform thickness.

In cold rolling, the strip is compressed in all directions, and is not only elongated but is also widened, resulting in a thin, rough, jagged edge.

' In drawing, the strip is not crushed between heavy rolls, but is pulled or drawn, which tends to lengthen it, and at the same timeto reduce it in all other dimensions, so that the strip isV not widened, but its width is slightly reduced or :substantially maintained, and the edges are of zo uniform thickness with the rest of the strip, and

' are not rough and jagged.

-It has been learned in wire drawing that a small entrance angle tends toharden the wire more than -a large entrancev angle. It is also lknown that cold rolling hardens metal. so that intermediate annealings are generally necessary if a' large total reduction of thickness is to be effected. In my method of drawing the strip between small .diameter cylindrical dies with a resulting large entrance angle, the strip is not hardened as much as in cold rolling, permitting larger individual reductions in thickness. and a greater total amount of reduction without intermediate annealings.'

v Furthermore, the forward motion of the strip between the dies. and the simultaneous transverse sliding motion of the die members. combine to give the strip a smoother and more polished surface than can be obtained by cold rolling.

In a cold rolling mill, the strip cuts 'a groove or track in the rolls, necessitating their regrinding. In my apparatus the cylindrical die members. because of their sliding motion. have their wear better distributed and are less subject to tracking. Furthermore these die members, not being subject to bending. canbe constructed of very hard material such as high speed tool steel or tungsten carbide, or other materials of this type and kind, so as still further to reduce their wear, and enable them to operate with strips and sheets .of hard material.

In, the accompanying drawings, I have shown for illustrative purposes one form of apparatus I for carrying the invention into eect. In Figs.

l, 2, and 3, a base or frame. of the machine Il,

- is provided, which will be of a contour in various cross-sections to adapt the mounting thereon yof the several mechanisms later described. An electric motor Il, is arranged at one end of the frame, the shaft I1 of the motor having a coupling as at Il with a drive shaft Il. One end of the drive shaft is hasabearingasatllinasupplementalframe 2l arranged upon the upper end of the main frame il. The upper surface of the frame 2l forms a table Ila. 0n the shaft Il is a drive pinion 22 which meshes with two large gears 23 and 2l arranged upon drum operating shafts 2l and 2l. The gears Il and are disposed in suitable housings 21. 28 arranged upon the frame Il and having suitable bearings 2l and coldrolling mills. tend to bend because of the drum-3l is the dlivin 0r Pulli!!! drum for pulling the workpiece between the dies as later described. A clutch pin or the like 33a, 34a, is employed for keying the respective drums 33, 34 to the shafts 25, 26; that is to say, when the drum 34 is keyed to the shaft 26, the drum 33 is free to rotate on the shaft 25, and vice versa, in order to make the machine reversible and to provide positive drawings of the workpiece through the machine by either of said drums. It Will of course be understood that a reversible motor canbe employed to reverse the direction of operation of the machine. Suitable means will be provided lto detachably secure the end of the workpiece to the driving drum, but as this means is no direct part of the invention, no illustration thereof is given.

Arranged upon the shaft I9 is a gear 35 meshing with a gear 36 which inturn meshes with a gear 31 on a driven shaft 98 supported in a housing 39 arranged upon the supplemental frame This cylin- 41, the collar having projecting ball end pins 48 arranged in suitable bearings 49 in `upper and lower die operating rods 56 and 5| which are slidably mounted in the housing 39.

At 52 and 53 are shown upper and lower die rods or elements arranged in open tubular bearings 54 and 55 in supporting bars 56 and 51 respectively. The bar 51 is supportedin the stationary block 46 whereas the bar 56 is supported in a vertically adjustable block 48a mounted and adjusted as later described. One end of the rod 58 projects through the housing 39 and is coupled with a supplemental rod 56a, arranged in the block 46a, through a vertically sliding coupling pin, as at 58, to compensate for the vertical movement of the block 46a and the die elements 52 therein. The supplemental rod 50a protrudes through the block a and has a link 59 for coupling the same with the shaft 52a, which has a socket at its other end to receive the neck of the die 52. The neck is thinner than the socket, and the two members are joined together with a loosely fitted pin to permit a small amount of up and down movement of the neck in the socket to retain the die in alined position against its bearing under the pressure of the workpiece. The rod 5| also pro- Y jects from the housing 39 and is coupled directly l rods 56, 5|, in opposite directions to each other,

through the medium of the oblique cylinder 46, will transmiti'corresponding movement to the dies or die elements 52, 53. It .will be understood that movement is impartedto the die 52 through the supplemental rod 56a and link 59.

Slidably keyed to the protruding end of the time that reciprocating movement is transmitted thereto. In like manner, the die 52 is rotated from the gear 43 through a. oating or moving gear 62 arranged upon a pivot 63 between two links 64 and 65. The link 64 is arranged to swing on the shaft 38 whereas the link 65 swings about the protruding end of the shaft 52a so as to maintain a constant meshing of the gear 62 with a gear 66 slidably keyed to said protruding end of the shaft 52a. This gear arrangement is provided to compensate for the vertical adjustment of the block 40a and the die element 52 therein. v

The adjustment of the block 46a and the die 52 is accomplished through the medium of a rotatable hand wheel 61,`the shaft 68 of which is supported in a head 69. The head 69 is arranged upon standards 16, integral with the stationary block 40said standards forming a guide for the vertically movable block 48a. On the shaft 68 are worms 1| engaging worm wheels 12 arranged upon vertical rods 13 in the head 69. The rods 13 have collars 13a supported within the heads69 by thrust bearings 14. The lower portions of the rods 13 are threaded |as at 15 into the movable block 40a.

Supported in connection with the block 40, which forms the stationary supporting framefor the lower die 53, are idler and guide rollers 16, 11, by means of which the workpiece is guided at opposite sides of the dies and in passing from one drum 33 to'the other drum34 and vice versa. On the upper surfaces of the block 40 of said frame are supported channeled strips 18 and 19 in each of which a suitable packing 86 is arranged which forms one part of a wiper, the companion of which is shown at 8|. The latter is`supported in vertically adjustable 'channeled plates 82 and 83, each having rack teeth 84 to be engaged by pinions 85 rotatably supported in the frame and having operating levers 86 by means of which the plates 82 and 83 may be raised and lowered vto provide a rm engagement of the pads or wipers 80, 8|-with-the workpiece which is represented at 81 and the resulting drawn product 88 as more clearly seen in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In addition to forming wipers, one to remove foreign products or elements. from the workpiece 81 before passing between the dies and the other to remove the surplus lubricant from the product 88, these pads or wipers form seals for a lubricating chamber or-bath 89 arranged around the dies 52 and 53 and between the adjacent surfaces of the stationary and movable blocks 48, 40a. The lower end of the block 40a is reduced as seen atr96 to provide a passage at the sides of said block opening into the apertures 9| formed in the standards 16v of the block 48a. Other apertures 92 are provided in the plates 82 and 83 to register with the apertures 9|. -With this construction, any overflow of oil or lubricant in the chamber 89 will pass out through the apertures 92 as will be apparent and extend downwardly through apertures 93 in the flanged base of the block 40 and will return -toa receiving supply tank 94 supported in the supplemental frameK-Zijbeneath the top or table portion 2|a thereof l-`as clearly seen in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings. Within the .tank is arranged a suitable strainer 95 for straining thereturned oil or lubricant. l v

Extending into the bottom ofthe tank 94 is a feed pipe 96 which extendsto an oil pump 91, note Fig. 1, driven by any suitable means, for example through a motor 98, to supply lubricant to the chamber 89 through a supply pipe 99. It will thus -be seen that a constant circulation of the lubricant is provided into and out of the chamber 89 which will serve to maintain most eflicient operation of the machine and also keep the lubricant cool andthus prevent overheating of the dies and workpiece.V

At each side of the block or frame 40 are a1'- ranged upstanding plates forming in conjunction with the frame 40, channels |0| in which are mounted vertically movable top and bottom shutter plates |02 and, |03, each carrying a flexible guide shoe |02a and |03a between which the workpiece 81 and the product 88 pass as clearly seen in Fig. 4 of the the drawings. Springs IM are employed to support the' bottom shutters |03, or the shoes |03a thereof in proper position .whereas the upper shoes |02a are supported in position by gravity. The vertical movement provided by the shutters is to compensate for positions of the workpiece and product caused by the constantlydecreasing and increasing amounts of strip on the let-oil and take-up drums respectively.

It will be apparent that the length of the die rods or elements 52 and 53 will be greater than the width of a workpiece to be passed through the machine so that in the reciprocating movement imparted to these die elements, the elements will maintain a constant engagement with opposed surfaces of the workpiece throughout the transverse dimensions of the workpiece at all times. It will also be understood in this connection that in the present illustration, which is given simply to show one adaptation of the invention, the machine is of a relatively limited capacity with respect to th'e widths of workpieces, but it will be understood that machines may be. designed for performing the desired operation upon workpieces of any desired width.

. The operation of the machine above described will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following statement. A workpiece as at 81 to be drawn is rst threaded through the machine by leading the same from the delivery drum 33, threading the same between the dies 52, 53, by moving the upper die into clearance position and then coupling the end of the workpiece to the receiving and drawing drum 34. after which the vertically adjustable plates 82, 83 will be moved into proper position. The upper die 52 may then be moved into alpartially adjusted position upon the workpiece, or if desired, may be forced into full adjusted position upon the workpiece. The lubricant is then introduced into the chamber 89 until the same overflows through the apertures 92. The machine is then put into operation, and if the die 52 had not previously been lowered into full adjusted position, it is now lowered into such predetermined position, and at the same time the dies 52, 53 are reciprocated back and forth at equal speeds in opposite directions transversely across the upper and lower surfaces of the workpiece, and the dies are rotated in opposite directions, at substantially equal speeds, upon their own axes so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece. but at a surface speed which is les's than the speed of the outcoming drawn prod# uct 88, while the workpiece is being drawn between the dies 52, 53 by the pull of the take-up drum 34.

'Ihe reverse drive or operation of the machine will be understood from the description heretofore submitted. A single initial workpiece may be passed through the machine several times in producing the desired final reduction in thickness of the resulting product instead of the greater number of passes required in machines embodying the conventional or known practices of cold rolling.

In Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings I have shown a slight modification in the construction which consists simply in substituting relatively large die operating and supporting members |05 and |06 for the dies 52 and 53 and arranging the same in similar manner to the dies 52, 53 so that these members may be operated in the reciprocating manner and in the rotary manner in the same way as disclosed in Fig. 1 and the other gures of the drawings. In these figures, I also provide-dies 52h, 53h, housed in blocks |01 and |08, both the dies and blocks being supported between end flanges 05a and |06a on the mem-v 'bers |05, |06, which in turn are arranged in vand |06, but the thrust and stress upon the die elements is transmitted to and taken up by the larger diameter supporting members |05 and |06 as will be apparent. With this form of construction the-gearingin the rotary drive of the mem.

bers |05 and |06 will be proportioned so that the surface speed of the elements 52h and 53h shall be less than the speed of the drawn product, the

being rotated on their axes.

same as in the structure shown in the other fig- Bres.

The present application deals primarily with the use of relatively small diameter die elements which are reciprocated back and forth in the manner herein described while at the same time It will be. understood that the illustrations in the accompanying drawings, which are described in the foregoing specification, simply represent one or two adaptations of the invention. It will beapparent that many variations and modifications in the` form and construction of the several parts of the apparatus as disclosed, as well as in the arrangement thereof, may be made. Different types of drives for the several parts may be employed. It will further be understood that certain of the illustrations in the accompanying drawings are more or less diagrammatic, but nevertheless sufic'ient to illustrate the fundamental principles of a machine or machines for carrying my iml proved method into effect.

I-.Iaving fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten is:

1. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between apair of relatively adjustable parallel cylindrical and rod-llkedie 2. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of relatively adjustable parallel cylindrical die members of the same diameter, supporting the die members throughout substantially the full length thereof, reciprocating the diemembers at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, and rotating said die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds about their own axes, so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece, but at a surface speed materially less than the speed materially'of travel of the drawn product.

3. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of relatively adjustable parallel cylindrical die members of the same diameter, supporting the die members by longitudinal friction bearings throughout substantially the full length thereof, decreasing the frictional surface resistance between the workpiece and the die members .by reciprocating the die members at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, rotating said die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds about their own axes, so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece, but at a surface speed materially less than the speed materially of travel of the drawn product, and controlling the adjustment and spacing of the die members with respect to each' other to predetermine the thickness of the drawn product,

4. I'he method of reducing -the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of relatively adjustable parallel cylindrical die members of the same diameter, supporting the die members throughout substantially the full length thereof, reciprocating the die members at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the directionof travel of the workpiece, rotating said die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds about their own axes, so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece, but at a surface speed materially less than the speed materially of travel of the drawn product, controlling the adjustment and spacing of ,the die members with respect to each other to predetermine the thickness of the drawn product, and operating the die members and adjaportions of the workpiece in a lubricating ness of the drawn product, yoperating the die members and adjacent portions of the workpiece in a lubricating bath, and sealing the lubricating bath with respect tothe moving workpiece.

6. The method of reducing the vthickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of relatively adjustable parallel cylindrical die members of the same diameter, supporting the die members throughout substantially the full length thereof, reciprocating the die members at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, rotating said die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds about their own axes, so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece, but vat a surfacespeed less than the speed oi' travel of the drawn product, controlling the adjustment and spacing of the die members with respect to each other to predetermine the thickness of the drawn product, operating the die members and adjacent portions of the workpiece in a lubricating bath, sealing the lubricating bath with respect to the moving workpiece, cleaning the workpiece prior to entering the die members, and wiping' the drawn product to remove the surplus lubricant. t

7. The method o'f reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece and substantially maintaining its width, comprising mechanically drawing a, workpiece between a pair of relatively adjustable parallel cylindrical and rod-like die members of the same diameter, supporting the die members throughout substantially the full length thereof rotating 'the die members, and re- .ciprocating the rotating die members at equal ,throughout substantially the full length thereof by backing rollers of much greater diameter than the die members, supporting the backing rollers in bearings along substantially the entire length thereof, while reciprocating thedie members and their respective backing rollers at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, and

rotating the backing rollers to frictionally rotate the die members in opposite directions at substantially equal 'speeds about'their own axes 5. The method of reducing the thickness of an 4 elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of relatively adjustable parallel cylindrical die members of the same diameter, supporting the die members throughout substantially the full length thereof, reciprocating the die members at equal speeds in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, ro`

so that their points in'contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece butat a surface speed less than the speed oftravel of the reduced product.

9. An apparatus for -reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of c parallel cylindrical rod-like die members, both posite directions to each other transverselylof the direction of travel of thworkpiece, and means for drawing the workpiece between saidl die members.

10. An apparatus for reducing the thickness oi,` an elongatedA workpiece, comprising a pair of,

parallel cylindrical die members, bothof the'f same diameter and each supported by aI longitudinal friction bearing along substantilly its entire length, means for adjusting the spacing between said die members, means for reciprocating said die members at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for drawing the workpiece between said die members, and means for rotating said die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds, about their own axes, so that their points in contactwith the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece. but at a surface speed materially less than the speed of travel of the drawn product.

1l. An apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprisinga pair of parallel cylindrical die members, both of the same diameter and each supported by a bearing along substantially its entire length, means for adjusting the spacing between said die members, means for reciprocating said die members at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for drawing the workpiece between said die members, means for rotating said die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds, about their own axes, so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the' same direction as the workpiece, but at a surface speed less than the speed of travel of 'the drawn product, and means forming a lubricating chamber around -the die members and the workpiece, said means embodying an inlet for the workpiece and an outlet for the drawn product, the inlet and outlet being provided with wipers to serve as seals to prevent loss of lubricant from the chamber and also to clean the workpiece before passing between the die members and to remove excess lubricant from the drawn product. i

12. An apparatus for reducing the tbickenss of an elongated workpiece, comprising a. pair of parallel cylindrical die members, both of the same diameter and each supported by a bearing along substantially its entire lengthmeans for adjusting the spacing between said die members, means for reciprocating said die members at equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for drawing the workpiece between said die members, means for rotating said die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds, about their own axes, so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece, but at a i surface speed less than the speed of travel of the drawn product, means forming a lubricating chamber around the die members and the workpiece, said means embodying an inlet for the workpiece and an outlet for the drawn product,

'the inlet and outlet being provided with wipers to serve as seals to prevent loss of lubricant .from the chamber and also to clean the workpiece before passing between the die members and to remove excess lubricant from the drawn product, and means for circulating lubricant through said chamber.

13. An apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of parallel cylindrical die members, both of the same diameter and each supported by a bearing along-substantially its entire length, means for adjusting-thespacing between said die members,

equal speeds, in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the' their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece, but at a surface speed lless than the speed of travel of the drawn product, means forming a lubricating chamber around the die members and the workpiece, saidA means embodying an inlet for the workpiece and an outlet for the drawn product, the inlet and outlet being provided with wipers to serve as seals to prevent loss of lubricant from the chamber and also to clean the workpiece befpre passing between the die members and to remove excess lubricant from the drawn product, means for circulating lubricant through said chamber, and means on each side of the die members to guide the workpiece and to aline the workpiece and the drawn product in the plane of the operating surfaces of the die members.

14. An apparatus for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising a pair of parallel cylindrical die members, both of the same diameter, and-each supported in contact with a backing roller of much greater diameter than the die members, each of said backing rollers being in turn supported by a bearing along substantially its entire length, means for adjusting the position of one of said die members and its supporting backing roller with relation to the other die member, means for reciprocating the die members and their respective backing rollers at equal speeds, in opposite directions to means 4 for reciprocating said die members at 75 each other,`transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for rotating the backing rollers to frictionally rotate the die members in opposite directions at substantially equal speeds, about their own axes, so that their points in contact with the workpiece move in the same direction as the workpiece; but at a surface speed less than the speed of travel of the drawn product, and means for :drawing the workpiece between said die members.

15,;An apparatus for drawing elongated work--` pieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising a pair of spaced parallel cylindrical die members, means for reciprocating said die members in opposite directions to each other transversely of the direction of travel of the workpiece, means for rotating said die members at a surface speed materially less than the speed of travel of the drawn product, and means for drawing the workpiece between said die members.

16. An apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising a pair of spaced parallel die members, friction bearings extending throughout the full length of said die members, means for rotating the die members at a surface speed materially less than the speed of travel of the drawn product, means for drawing the workpiece between said die members, and means for reciprocating the die members in opposite directions to each ,other transversely of the direction of travel ot the workpiece and longitudinally of the axis of said die members.

17. An apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising a pair of spaced parallel cylindrical die members, friction bearings extending throughout the full length of said die membersfmeans for rotating the die members at a surface speed materially less than the speed of travel of the drawn prod- K a pair of working rolls, large supporting bearings extending the full length of said rolls and in direct engagement therewith, means for reciprocating said supporting bearings longitudinally of the axis of said rolls, and said bearings being rotatable during reciprocating movement thereof.

19. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, which includes the steps of for lreciprocating the supporting a pair of dies throughout their operative length; moving the die supports axially of the dies while rotating said supports to reduce frictional relationship in drawing the` workpiece between said dies. g

20. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of parallel cylindrical die members, supporting the die members by longitudinal friction bearings throughout substantially the full length thereof, rotating said die members in opposite directions about their own axes, and reciprocating the die members within their respective bearings to decrease the frictional surface resistance between the die members and their respective bearings so as to permit the die members to rotate within their respective bearings.

AARON SIMONS. 

